Delivery Man (3/25/2014)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language.

Starring Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders and Chris Pratt

Directed by Ken Scott

Definitely not the best Vince Vaughn film.

From DreamWorks Pictures comes Delivery Man, the story of affable underachiever David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn), whose mundane life gets twisted in a knot when he finds out that he fathered 533 children via sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things could not look worse for David when he’s hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor. As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

When it comes to Vince Vaughn, most people love him or hate him. One of the things I love about him is the total insanity he brings to his roles. From his lengthy rants to his over-the-top antics, he knows how to make me laugh. Unfortunately, Delivery Man tries too hard to show his softer side and so his character is more subdued…which means less funny.

The rest of the cast is underused with the exception of Chris Pratt who is pretty funny as the exasperated dad and underachieving lawyer.

As I mentioned earlier, the story line is softer and more heart warming than most Vince Vaughn films – which has surprised almost everyone who has watched it. And while the plot is hardly based on a “true story,” ABC News estimates that about 2 million children have already been born in the U.S. by way of sperm donations. So I guess it is possible.

There were elements of this film that resonated with me personally. I met my biological father for the first time when I was 26. So I can appreciate the “Star Buck’s kids” wanting to know their dad. And while I found several scenes heartwarming, the pace was way too slow and Vince Vaughn was not at his best. For me it was ok…but “Only If It’s Free.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, but sex – especially masturbation – is discussed throughout the film. One f-word, two s-words and a few of other profanities.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. One year for Father’s Day I bought my step-dad a picture of a father and son walking together and it said, “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.” Do you agree or disagree with that saying? Why?


2. What did Vince Vaughn learn about being a father?


3. Read Luke 11:11-13
   
   Which one of you fathers would give your hungry child a snake if the child asked for a fish? Which one of you would give your child a scorpion if the child asked for an egg? As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.
   
   How is God our perfect Father?


4. What do you need to ask your Father for?